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V O L . X X X I N O. X X V § 2 N OV E M B E R 3 , 2 0 2 5 8 affairs for Cooke USA. According to Hedlund, AI is prov- ing central to precision farming. By collecting and analyzing data, tech- nology helps farmers anticipate and manage the many risks involved in raising fish. "You know things hap- pen when you're farming animals and you're just avoiding a lot of those things by using the latest technology. We're being more efficient and smarter about what we're doing," he explains. Aquaculture also presents unique challenges for AI. Systems must be rugged enough to withstand boats, storms and the harsh marine environ- ments, making fish farms an innova- tive testing ground for new technology. Ultimately, the goal is not only to improve production but also to strengthen community trust. "It's not just about the bottom line. It's about being accepted by the community as part of the working waterfront and as an employer, and the good things that come from food production and employment," Hed- lund notes. "We're always trying to tell people aquaculture is agriculture, and we face the same sort of chal- lenges that terrestrial farmers face." Farm fresh produce in urban spaces Originating in Jackson, Wyo., the hydroponics farm Vertical Harvest has established its latest location in West- brook, where it is projected to produce 2 million pounds of leafy greens annu- ally. e four-story, 52,000-square-foot farm is now operational, with produce expected to reach vendors soon after commissioning local farm systems in the summer of 2025. At the heart of its mission, Verti- cal Harvest aims to bring fresh food to urban areas, reducing food deserts while using technology to create jobs that expand accessibility, particularly for individuals with disabilities. "Vertical Harvest didn't just set out to grow greens. We set out to design a new kind of infrastructure," says Nona Yehia, co-founder and CEO of Vertical Harvest. "e food system is under immense pressure," she notes. "Land is dis- appearing, climate shocks are more frequent and supply chains are » C ONTI NU ED FROM PR EVI OU S PAGE A Cooke USA farm site Downeast. C O U R T E S Y / C O O K E U S A Nona Yehia is CEO of Vertical Harvest, which has a new site in Westbrook. C O U R T E S Y / V E R T I C A L H A R V E S T Steven Hedlund, director of public affairs at Cooke USA. C O U R T E S Y / C O O K E U S A